An amputee expressed astonishment after receiving a parking fine immediately following the council’s installation of a disabled bay around his vehicle. Graham Tufft, aged 66 and residing in Newport, had persistently requested a designated disabled parking bay on his street for over two years. However, he was fined £70 within minutes of the bay being painted.
Contractors from Newport City Council marked out the parking space around Mr. Tufft’s car as per his request. Shortly after completion, a parking warden placed a penalty charge notice (PCN) on his vehicle, not allowing him any time to display his blue badge. The fine can be reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days, otherwise, it remains at £70. Mr. Tufft expressed shock at the immediate issuance of the fine.
In an interview with WalesOnline, Mr. Tufft stated, “I didn’t even get a chance to get the badge and put it in my car. My wife discovered the fine before I could react.” He highlighted his long wait for the disabled bay and detailed his health conditions, including an amputation, a splint on one leg, heart failure, and diabetes.
Mr. Tufft’s wife, Janice, mentioned their confusion regarding displaying the blue badge in the car and their attempt to clarify it online while the space was being painted. Upon discovering the penalty notice, she was taken aback by the timing, considering the wet paint on the ground.
Mr. Tufft speculated that the parking warden was eagerly waiting to issue a fine as soon as the bay was painted, emphasizing the rarity of traffic wardens in the area. The couple has initiated the appeal process for the penalty charge notice and reached out to Newport City Council to address their grievances.
Efforts to obtain comments from Newport City Council regarding the incident are ongoing.
